Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
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Be Physical in Order to be Spiritual Nazir 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 15th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the discussion of various states of decomposed flesh, and when it still is within the threshold of a corpse, to the extent that it can render a Nazir impure. Such corpse dust must not contain foreign ingredients mixed within it: תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן אֵיזֶהוּ מֵת שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ רָקָב מֵת שֶׁנִּקְבַּר עָרוֹם בְּאָרוֹן שֶׁל שַׁיִש …
Be Kind to Animals Because You Never Know…Bava Kamma 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the idea of making sure that despite someone having been convicted with the death penalty, the mitzvah of “Love thy neighbor” dictates that we choose the least painful and most dignified way to administer the punishment. For example, if the death punishment involves stoning (which actually is preceded by being thrown from a high structure, it should be constructed sufficiently high that he dies quick …
Be Careful What You Wish For Kesuvos 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 25th, 2022
Even in the metaphysical world where all things are possible, it can be a bad idea to push too hard. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph, according to one text of Rashi, discusses an “oath” placed upon the Jewish people in exile to abstain from “pushing for the end.” Rashi explains the Jewish people should not force the Mashiach to come via excessive prayer. That is a difficult idea to understand. Can there be too much prayer? And I …
Be an "Absorbent" Jew Eruvin 40 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 18th, 2020
לִבְרוֹךְ עֲלֵיהּ וְלַנְּחֵיהּ — הַמְבָרֵךְ צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּטְעוֹם! לִיתְּבֵיהּ לְיָנוֹקָא — לֵית הִלְכְתָא כְּרַב אַחָא, דִּילְמָא אָתֵי לְמִסְרַךְ. And if you say that he should recite the blessing over a cup of wine and leave it and drink it only after the conclusion of Yom Kippur, this too is difficult …
Be a Patient Teacher Eruvin 54 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2020
רַבִּי פְּרִידָא הֲוָה לֵיהּ הָהוּא תַּלְמִידָא דַּהֲוָה תָּנֵי לֵיהּ אַרְבַּע מְאָה זִימְנֵי וְגָמַר. יוֹמָא חַד בַּעְיוּהּ לְמִלְּתָא דְמִצְוָה. תְּנָא לֵיהּ וְלָא גְּמַר. Having discussed the importance of reviewing one’s Torah study, the Gemara relates that Rabbi Perida had a certain …
Balanced Spiritual Diet Kiddushin 69 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 20th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the Bais HaMikdash is the highest spot in the land of Israel, and Israel is the highest land in the world. The Maharal (Be’er Hagolah 6) explains that this height is not referring to a physical height but rather a balance point. Maharal explains that a circle actually has no top or bottom, and since the earth is round, it's absurd to discuss a highest point. Rather, just as the top of a slope represent …
Balance is Fluid Nazir 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 13th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a discussion where Rabbi Yehuda (the Tanna) became angry that they allowed the students of Rabbi Meir into the Shiur. His objection was based on the fact that they were “kanteranim”, which we can translate as excessively argumentative. There is a similar Gemara in Kiddushin (52b) regarding a different halakhic discussion, but likewise Rabbi Yehuda became vexed because they allowed the students of Rabbi …
Bais Shammai and Top Down Thinking Nazir 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 22nd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis (continuing to 31a) discusses a dispute between Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel regarding if an item is declared consecrated for the Bais Hamikdash in error. Bais Shammai holds it remains sanctified, while Bais Hillel holds that since its inception was in error, the sanctification never takes hold. We have discussed elsewhere in Psychology of the Daf (Eiruvin 13) how thematically Bais Shammai relates to an ideal state, Edenic …
Bad Hair Day Nazir 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 1st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states that according to the opinion of אין שאלה בהקדש, one cannot annul vows made for sanctification purposes, one also cannot annul a nazirite vow. Tosafos offers a proof text that Nazirhood is a sacrament (Bamidbar 6:5): קָדֹ֣שׁ יִהְיֶ֔ה גַּדֵּ֥ל פֶּ֖רַע שְׂעַ֥ר רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃ He shall be holy, the one who grows the hair of his head. The simple understanding is that …
Backlash for Sins Kesuvos 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 10th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the verse in Devarim (25:2-3) which are the scriptural source for the punishment of lashes. It is notable that though the verse states 40 lashes, there is a rabbinic tradition that seemingly overrides the explicit verse and the number of lashes is never to exceed 39. (For more on the philosophical and psychological implications of this dichotomy, see Psychology of the Daf, Kesuvos 32.) Regardless of the …
Back to the Future Nazir 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 29th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the challenge of the Nazir who unfortunately becomes exposed to a corpse. The verse seems to indicate that he must start his counting all over again. So whatever time he pledged to become a Nazir must now be repeated after he undergoes a purification process. The verse states (Bamidbar 6:12): וְהַיָּמִ֤ים הָרִאשֹׁנִים֙ יִפְּל֔וּ כִּ֥י טָמֵ֖א נִזְ …
Baal Teshuva Syndrome Gittin 10 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 25th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of Matzah baked by Cuthite. According to this Gemara, though this nationality converted to Judaism under duress, the conversion was still valid, and they had the status of Jews. However, the Cuthites didn’t quite absorb the full message of Judaism and often would follow the written Torah but not trust the Rabbinic oral tradition. According to one opinion, even though of course, we are stri …
Avraham Had it All Bava Basra 141 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 13th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph presents a curious interpretation of the verse about Avraham in Bereishis (24:1): “And Avraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Avraham with everything [bakkol]” (Genesis 24:1). Rabbi Yehuda explains that this blessing meant Avraham had a daughter, whom he named Bakkol. At first glance, this statement seems puzzling—would the Sages have us believe that the phrase “blessed wit …
Avoiding Obsessing Over Mitzvos Kiddushin 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 5th, 2023
In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we encounter a compelling argument regarding the use of Temple vestments by a Cohen for personal purposes. The Gemara boldly states: "שֶׁלֹּא נִיתְּנָה תּוֹרָה לְמַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת." "The Torah was not given to the ministering angels." That is to say, since it would be impossible to calculate the precise moment when the service was finished, expecting the Cohen to immediatel …
Authentic Freedom Gittin 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 29th, 2023
Authentic freedom is a complex concept that has been debated by philosophers and theologians for centuries. Authentic freedom includes the ability to make one's own choices, the absence of coercion or oppression, and the pursuit of one's own values and goals. Our gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the psychological and halakhic concept of עַבְדָּא בְּהֶפְקֵירָא נִיחָא לֵיהּ for a slave. Becoming free is not necessarily …
Attuned Relationships Kiddushin 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 7th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we encounter an incident involving a group of elders from the city of Nezonya who declined to attend a Shiur (lecture) by Rav Chisda: סָבֵי דְנָזוֹנְיָא לָא אֲתוֹ לְפִירְקֵיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ לְרַב הַמְנוּנָא: זִיל צַנְּעִינְהוּ. אֲזַל אֲמַר לְהוּ: מַאי טַעְמָא לָא אֲתוֹ רַבָּנ …
Attitudes of the rich and successful Bava Basra 144 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 15th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis explores the distribution of profits from inherited assets prior to dividing an estate. It discusses cases where one brother might contribute more effort or productivity, but the benefit may still be shared among all brothers if they’re supporting each other as part of a household. The Gemara states: “If one of the brothers engaged in a trade of his own volition, the profits are his alone. The Sages taught in a …
Attitude of Gratitude Kesuvos 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 14th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis cautions against making negative and pessimistic declarations, as somehow verbalizing them can cause them to come about. Jewish tradition most definitely believes in the power of words. A number of sources that were brought to my attention,, courtesy of Rabbi Moshe Elafant’s sugya shiur on this daf are: A Teshuva of the Rashbah (Hameyuchas Leramban 286) states that we cannot know sometimes why bad …
Attachment Issues Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 141
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 24th, 2020
תְּנַן: נוֹטֵל אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ וְהָאֶבֶן בְּיָדוֹ? אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי בְּתִינוֹק שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ גַּעֲגוּעִין עַל אָבִיו. We learned in the mishna: A person may take his son in his hands on Shabbat; and this is permitted even though there is a stone in the child’s hand. As it can be inferred from this mishna that th …
Attachment, Consensus and Aggression Bava Basra 132 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 5th, 2024
The Rashbam, at the beginning of Amud Aleph, discusses aspects of the kesuba (Jewish marriage contract) that make it different from other debts. It has limitations on lien enforcement and variations in collection power, partly reflecting a reality observed by the Rabbis in social patterns. Recognizing that women—due to lower earning potential and other economic disadvantages—might experience vulnerability after marriage, the Rabbis en …
Attachment and Mindfulness Bava Basra 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 8th, 2024
Tosafos on Amud Beis (“V’lo”) discusses a quasi legal opinion that each Jew owns their own four cubit section in the land of Israel, by virtue of inheritance from ancestors. Even though these lands were conquered, because they were done so illegally, they are still in the possession of the rightful owners. As we discussed extensively in blog posts Psychology of the Daf Bava Basra 34 & 37, the righteous person sees God …
Atoning In Advance? Nedarim 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 4th, 2022
Is there a Torah idea that one can atone for future sins? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the reason why the Nazir must bring a sin offering. Though there have been numerous Midrashic and exegetical interpretations, the most provocative one is offered by Ramban on Chumash (Bamidbar 6:11). He says: In accordance with the plain meaning of Scripture, [it is because] this man sins against his soul on the day of completion of his Naziritehood …
Athens or Jerusalem? Nedarim 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 16th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the rabbinic enactment that the very earth from outside Israel has an impurity to it. Shem MiShmuel (Ki Savo 9) discusses the mystical peshat in why this is so. Land itself has a certain drive and magnetic draw. Many cultures refer to their country land as “mother” or “father”. The Torah itself has references to the land itself, almost like it has a personality. For example (Vayikra …
At What Cost Does Change Come?
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2020
This last Friday night I fell asleep pondering a scientific riddle: The Boro Park community suffered painful losses during the initial days of Covid. This community mostly ignored the distancing policies. Some will say, with large families and a religious lifestyle dependent on continuous communal interaction between shul, weddings, mikvah and school, they found it too hard to treat as a priority. Whatever the case may be, in th …
As If Forced by A Demon. Psychological and Jewish Perspectives on Sexuality
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2019
According to Torah values, is it considered proper to enjoy sexuality and all forms of amorous expression within the bounds of marriage, or is a more ascetic orientation the proper path? Jewish tradition has apparent contradictory directives in regard to sensuality, sexual pleasure and abnegation. Recommendations of various Talmudic sages range from total denial of pleasure, such as dispensing with the sexual act “as if forced by a de …
Are You Running Away, or Toward? Nedarim 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 9th, 2022
This last Sunday was the NYC marathon. Why does anyone do this? It is hard, hard work. Yet, it feels good. Would it feel as good if you ran 25 miles, being forced to do so at gunpoint on a death march? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to an idea that certain customs can become defacto obligations, as if you had explicitly made a vow. Halachically this comes up in many areas discussed by poskim, such as when a person v …
Are You Not Entertained?! Pesachim 12 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2020
In light of Rav Pappa’s statement, the Gemara discusses the topic of mealtimes. The Sages taught in a baraita: Eating in the first hour of the morning is the time of eating for Ludim, who are members of a nation of cannibals, and they are ravenous and in a hurry to eat. The second hour is the time of eating for robbers [listin]. Since they spend the night stealing, they eat early in the morning. The third hour is the time of eating for heir …
Are We Responsible for Triggering Another Person’s Insecurities? Bava Basra 81 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 13th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis reports that one sage rebuked another for asking him a question about a subject that he was not familiar with, as this causes unnecessary embarrassment. Rambam (Laws of Sales14:14) codifies this as a form of ona’as devarim hurtful speech. Magid Mishna (ibid) refers to our Gemara as the source. Sefer Chassidim (972) takes this moral sensitivity even further: If someone knows himself to be renowned as sharp-minded, he …
Are Some Sins Too Great To Repent From? Chaggigah 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 17th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis interprets the verse In Koheles (1:15) “What is crooked cannot be fixed”, as referring to certain sins which seem to be irreparable. These sins range from missing out on certain mitzvos whose time has passed and cannot be made up, to forbidden sexual relations that has permanent effects such as conceiving a mamzer, or causing a woman to be forbidden to her husband. Though within the Gemara there are v …
Are Law and Ethics the Same? Bava Basra 140 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 12th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph continues discussing special enactments and protections that the rabbis put in place to ensure that, although daughters do not inherit alongside their brothers, stipends and allowances are set aside from the estate to provide for them and assist with marriage expenses. The Mishna on the previous amud states: In the case of one who died and left behind both sons and daughters, when the estate is large, the sons inherit it, …
Antidote for The King Size Human Ego Bava Basra 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 30th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a series of verses that describe the unfortunate and complex situation of Yonasan, who due to the deprivations of battle, was starving and took a taste from honey he had found in the forest. Unbeknownst to him, his father King Shaul, had decreed a Fast upon the troops so that they repent and merit divine assistance. Effectively, he had violated his command and was subject to the death penalty. King Shaul, under tre …
Anti-Hero Kesuvos 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 19th, 2022
How far does loyalty go? Can you be married to a scoundrel but still see the good in him or her? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a feminine tendency to make peace with, and even appreciate the qualities of a husband, in spite of him not appearing objectively to be a good catch. אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: דְּשׁוּמְשְׁמָנָא גַּבְרָא כּוּרְסְיַהּ בֵּי חָרָאתָא רָמֵי לַהּ. Abaye sai …
Another Way to Make Aliyah Gittin 8 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 24th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a fascinating legal enactment in order to promote settlement of the land of Israel. Even though ordinarily, one may not instruct a gentile to perform labor on Shabbos, if there’s an opportunity to purchase a parcel of land in Israel, from a gentile, you can instruct a secular court to write up the contract. While some poskim have used this as a general principle, allowing one to instruct a gentile to perfor …
Animals Who Walk on Two Feet Nazir 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 6th, 2023
Our Gemara on the top of Amud Aleph discusses the mitzvah of Tzitzis. Using an idea from Sefer Haikkarim, Yismach Moshe offers a psychological and symbolic explanation for this mitzvah. Sefer Haikkarim (III:15) provides a philosophical backstory to the rivalry of Kayin and Hevel. Both left with the task of making their way in the world, Kayin works the land, while Hevel chooses to herd animals. Naturally, each brings sacrifices from their c …
Animal Behavior and Consequences Bava Kamma 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2023
We learned in our Mishna on Amud Beis, that according to the Tanna Kamma, an ownerless ox that gored and killed someone is still executed. This suggests that killing of a murderous ox is not merely a punishment for the owner but even a punishment for the ox. At first glance, this would seem absurd, to hold an ox liable for its choices, as if it is intelligent. However, we have already seen that the Talmudic view of animal thought is m …
Anger Problem? Anger Solution!
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 23rd, 2019
Marc considers himself an overall decent guy, he cares for his wife and children and is a hard worker. Once in a while, when people really push his buttons he loses his temper -- he can say abusive statements such as name-calling and also physically punches the wall. His wife says it is unbearable and frightening to her and the kids and he needs help. It doesn’t seem like such a big deal to him, but he must concede that his fath …
Anger Management Gittin 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 11th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis, Rabbi Meir's opinion is discussed, stating that signatory witnesses on a bill of divorce are the ones who effectuate the divorce. According to Rabbi Meir, it would technically be permissible to write the essential identifying information of the bill of divorce in advance. However, this practice was not followed due to concerns about quarreling, referred to as "Kettata" in the Gemara. אָמְרִי לַהּ ר …
Analytic Learners vs. Dynamic Learners Eruvin 66 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2020
Eruvin 66 תָּהֵי בַּהּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר. Rabbi Elazar wondered at Rabbi Yoḥanan’s ruling that the Sages had acted well when they rented the gentile’s property on Shabbat and then they renounced their rights to that one, so that at least it would be permitted to use the courtyard. Tosafos Kesuvos 2b וכל אמורא היה תופס לשונו כמו מגדף בה ר' אבהו (סנהדרין ג: …
An Ox-y-Moron Bava Kamma 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 6th, 2023
In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, an intriguing expression is employed to delineate the liabilities incurred by an ox that gores, as opposed to one that tramples or eats, and causes damage. The distinction lies in the fact that when the animal eats or tramples, it possesses no "intention" to cause harm, whereas when the ox gores, it "intends" to cause damage. You might wonder if the English word "intent" is a poor translation of the Aramaic term, but …
An Original Slant on an Ancient Practice Kesuvos 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 12th, 2022
In today’s Psychology of the Daf, we are going to discuss an ancient sexual practice from the time of the Talmud, and what it can teach us about sexual ethics in marriage. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses some technical halakhic aspects of a virgin having intercourse for the first time on Shabbos. Since there can be bleeding, is this considered inflicting a wound, which is forbidden to do on Shabbos? There are numerous iterati …
An Order to the Disorder Bava Kamma 107 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 16th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph grapples with legal and textual inconsistencies, where the subject matter of the various legal cases and oaths described in Shemos (chapter 22) are difficult to ascertain. According to one approach, עירוב פרשיות כתוב כאן, there is a blending of distinct cases within the verses. In the same verses, one part might be referring to an oath for partial admission, while the second half could be referring to a …
An Offer You Can’t Refuse Bava Basra 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a counterintuitive Halacha: אמר רב הונא: תליוהו וזבין – זביניה זביני. מאי טעמא? כל דמזבין איניש, אי לאו דאניס – לא הוה מזבין, ואפילו הכי זביניה זביני. ודילמא שאני אונסא דנפשיה מאונסא דאחריני! אלא כדתניא: If one was suspended, e.g., from a tree, and thereby …
An Impoverished Attitude Bava Basra 174 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis recounts the story of a person in dire financial straits who devised a plan to improve his situation, only for unforeseen circumstances to derail it. Reflecting on this, the Gemara uses the aphorism: “Poverty follows the impoverished person.” Similarly, in Bava Kamma 92a, the sages observe a poignant inequality: wealthy individuals who brought their first fruits to the Temple in gold and silver baskets were per …
An Extra Helping of the Delights of Shabbos Nedarim 63 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2022
Our Gemara discusses the ancient Jewish custom of eating garlic Friday night in order to enhance fertility, as it is a Mitzvah Friday night in particular to be intimate (See Ritva). By the way, there is corroborating scientific evidence that Garlic positively affects virility, and in particular cooked garlic. (See Bahrami KH, Mahjor AA, Johary H, Bahrami R, Bahrami A. Comparative study on histopatological and histomorphometric effect of raw and c …
An Answer to Prayers Kesuvos 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 16th, 2022
There’s a Jewish quip about prayer that I have always disliked, not because it isn’t true, but rather because it’s irritating in its smug self-satisfaction.
A person complained that he prayed and prayed and God didn’t listen. His rabbi answered, “Who says God didn’t listen? He listened, and the answer was ’No.’” While this might be true, it is cold comfort to one who needed a mirac …
An Analysis of Halachos of Kneeling for Persons in Twelve Step Recovery
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 24th, 2019
There are some people in the course of their 12 step work who find connecting to G-d via kneeling to be an important part of their recovery. There is a degree of cultural inhibition regarding kneeling for Jewish people, as this is not our customary form of worship. Below is an analysis of the pertinent halachic issues. The verse states in Vayikra 26:1 “…and a Maskis stone shall not be placed in your land to bow upon it.” …
An Absorbent Jew Bava Metzia 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the ways in which Dovid Hamelech was verbally tormented by his critics: They torment me to the extent that even at the time when they are engaged in the public study of the halachos of leprous sores and tents in which there is a corpse, they say to me: David, one who engages in adultery, what form of execution do they give him? And I say to them: An adulterer who commits this sin with a married woman befor …
Am I Supposed to be a Mind Reader? Yevamos 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 23rd, 2022
One of the modern marriage and therapy tropes is that no one can be a mind-reader, and people must take responsibility to express and communicate their needs. While this is common sense, it can be taken as diminishing the value of intuitive understanding of one’s spouse. I emphatically state to the contrary! Understanding of non-verbal cues and bids is absolutely an important relationship asset. Our Gemara on Amud Beis speaks of …
Altruism and Pragmatism in Jewish Thought Bava Basra 156 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 28th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud aleph discusses financial protections that the rabbis instituted for young adults, even though past bar mitzvah age: Rather, the Sages maintain that a child’s inclination is to be attracted to money. And if you say that his sale is a valid sale, there may be times that there are potential buyers who rattle the dinars before him in order to tempt him to sell, and he will go and sell all of his father’s property. That …
Alternate Halachic Universe Bava Basra 127 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 30th, 2024
On our daf, we observe the great respect held for the concept of inheritance, particularly in regard to the firstborn. While generally, a person may stipulate whatever he pleases concerning his property, the restrictions are stricter regarding the firstborn’s inheritance. This is evident in the sugyos of the previous and upcoming dappim. For example, a father has the special power to identify his firstborn, waiving ordinary evidentiary requ …
Alternate Generation Theory Yevamos 84 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 30th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibition of the Egyptian convert. A regular Jewish person cannot marry into that family fit the first two generations. He may only marry into the third generation born after the conversion, as stated explicitly in Devarim 23:9. We might wonder what is the significance of three generations? The Chizkuni (Op. Cit.) explains that it takes three generations to change the family culture. As we find the Torah de …
Altar Ego Nedarim 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 23rd, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the warning of Rav Nosson: Anyone who vows, it is as if he built a personal altar outside the Temple, and one who fulfills that vow, it is as though he burns an offering upon it The language is notable as there are two stages. First, the person impetuously makes an ill-advised vow. However, he’s not yet in such hot water. He can reverse course and humbly seek nullification from a sage. At this point he only b …
Also Known As Bava Kamma 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the use of the Hebrew word “es”, which has no English translation, but signals an association between a significant object, and other less significant objects that are subsumed within the context. Thus, Rabbi Akiva famously derives from “Es Hashem Elokecha Tira” “Es Hashem your God you must fear” (Devarim 6:13), to include fear for Torah sages under the directive to fear God. T …
All’s Well that Ends Well? Yevamos 76 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 22nd, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses Shaul Hemelech’s introduction to David: דְּאָמַר קְרָא: ״וְכִרְאוֹת שָׁאוּל אֶת דָּוִד יוֹצֵא לִקְרַאת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אָמַר אֶל אַבְנֵר שַׂר הַצָּבָא בֶּן מִי זֶה הַנַּעַר אַבְנֵר וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְנֵר חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ הַמֶּלֶךְ אִם יָדָעְתִּי״. …
Allowing Yourself to Receive Bava Basra 13 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 8th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the legal position of Raban Shimon ben Gamliel regarding the splitting of a courtyard that was held in partnership but it is too small to divide in half and still retain its function or description, such as each part would be less than four cubits: If a courtyard or the like was not large enough to warrant division into two, and one of the co-owners said to the other: You take a minimum measure of the cour …
All the Resources of a Superpower Kiddushin 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that the Hebrew word קִיחָה “Kicha” connotes acquisition to purchase, and not merely the acquisition of an ownerless object. Be’er Mayyim Chaim (Shemos 2:3) notes that the same Hebrew word is used when Yocheved “took” a reed basket to hide the baby Moshe. His understanding is that she acquired it via payment, much as we have a custom to make sure to acquire a Lulav or Hadass via …
All Relationships Are Permanent Yevamos 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 3rd, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle behind the financial obligation of the Kesubah, שלא תהא קלא בעיניו להוציאה that divorcing a wife should not be a light matter. Since upon divorce, the husband will have to pay out a large sum, he naturally will think twice about divorce. The Rashbah in Bava Kama (89a) elaborates on this and explains that should a woman feel that the marriage can be dismissed lightly, her gener …
All Parts Make the Whole Kiddushin 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 24th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the case of a slave with severe character flaws, such as being a thief or a "kubyostos". One might argue that the buyer is entitled to a refund, but the Gemara maintains that such character defects are common among slaves, making the purchase still valid. The term "kubyostos" is defined by Rashi as a kidnapper, and by Tosafos as a gambler. This derogatory term appears in two other Midrashim: one involving Yaak …
All In a Day’s Work Nazir 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 30th, 2023
Our General on Amud Aleph references the halakhic definition of a day, which is the day behind the prior night. This is learned from verses in Bereishis, “It was evening, it was morning.” Therefore, most Jewish practices that begin or end on a certain day, start the evening before. As of course, Shabbos and Yom Tov begin on the evening before. A notable exception to this rule is for counting days of validity for eating the meat of a s …
All in a Day’s Work Bava Metzia 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 21st, 2024
Our gemara on amud aleph discusses the well-known halachic principle, that even though often a prohibited item can be nullified in a majority or mixture of 60 times, an item whose prohibition can become permitted at some point in time, is not negated or nullified even if it is in a mixture with one thousand permitted parts. The phrase “even a thousand times”, is not literal. It means in any amount, so to speak, even …
Agent of Light Nedarim 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 29th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the status of Cohanim in relation to their service in the Beis Hamikdash. Are they considered agents of God, or our agents whom we appoint to serve God in our stead? This has numerous applications, including if a Cohen, whom you vowed to not have benefit from, can stil bring your sacrifices. If he works for you as your agent, then he is bringing you a benefit. If he is merely following God‘s com …
Affluenza Nazir 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 21st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a possible reason that the rabbis granted a father rights to declare his minor son a Nazir. The rabbis subsumed this under the general obligation of chinuch, the rabbinic directive to accustom a child in the practice of mitzvos. The Maharitz Chayes raises the following question: “We are aware that the idea of the mitzvah of Chinuch is to gradually accustom a child to his obligations so that he not be sudde …
Affirmative Inaction Gittin 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 18th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a halakhic question that a number of Rabbis were unable to resolve. They then sent the message to Rabbi Chiya bar Abba, who also was not able to come to a clear answer. His response to them was: נִתְיַישֵּׁב בַּדָּבָר. We will consider the matter and then respond. The root of this Hebrew word is to sit or settle. Rav Chiya bar Abba said, “First, let us enter into a calm contemplative stat …
A Doting Attuned Father Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 154
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 7th, 2020
Shabbos אַבָּיֵי אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לֵיהּ לְרַבָּה דְּקָא מְשַׁפְשֵׁף לֵיהּ לִבְרֵיהּ אַגַּבָּא דְחַמְרָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: קָא מִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ מָר בְּבַעֲלֵי חַיִּים! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: צְדָדִין הֵן, וּצְדָדִין לָא גְּזַרוּ בְּהוּ רַבָּנַן. מְנָא תֵּימְרָא — ד …
Adopted Beliefs Bava Metzia 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 7th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the legal entitlements to certain properties and materials that unwittingly became shared by two potential beneficiaries and investors: שָׁטַף נָהָר זֵיתָיו וּנְתָנָם לְתוֹךְ שְׂדֵה חֲבֵירוֹ, זֶה אוֹמֵר: ״זֵיתַי גִּדֵּלוּ״, וְזֶה אוֹמֵר: ״אַרְצִי גִּדֵּלָה״ – יַחְלוֹקוּ. In the even …
Admitting that We are Wrong Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 16
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2020
Eruvin 16 הֲדַר אוֹקֵים רַב נַחְמָן אָמוֹרָא עֲלֵיהּ וּדְרַשׁ: דְּבָרִים שֶׁאָמַרְתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶם טָעוּת הֵן בְּיָדִי. בְּרַם כָּךְ אָמְרוּ: יָחִיד — נוֹתְנִין לוֹ בֵּית סָאתַיִם, שְׁנַיִם — נוֹתְנִין לָהֶן בֵּית סָאתַיִם, שְׁלֹשָׁה — נַעֲש …
Admission Requirements Bava Kama 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 16th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal principle of when confessing mitigates financial penalties: אִיתְּמַר: מוֹדֶה בִּקְנָס, וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּאוּ עֵדִים – רַב אָמַר: פָּטוּר, וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: חַיָּיב. It was stated with regard to one who admits that he is liable to pay a fine, and afterward witnesses come and testify to his liability, that Rav say …
Adjustment Period Kiddushin 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 20th, 2023
The Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses how, on the day of Moses' passing, the Manna ceased, but the Jewish people continued to be sustained by the leftover Manna until the 16th of Nissan. Similarly, the Gemara mentions that the dough-cakes the Jews took from Egypt tasted like the Manna. Is the Gemara merely recounting historical events, or does it hold a deeper significance? Shem Mishmuel, in Shelach 10, offers an explanation that goes beyond histori …
Adar and Goldilocks
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 10th, 2019
This year is a Jewish leap year. The Jewish calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar inputs; specifically, the months follow the Moon, however the seasons follow the Sun. Since 12 lunar months only add up to 354 days, it is approximately 11 days short of a solar year. The rabbis understood from the Biblical directive to guard the month of spring, that they needed to add in a leap month (Adar II) approximately every 3 year …
Abuse by Insurance Companies
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 28th, 2020
Despite the fact that the NYS Department of Financial Services issued an order waiving all copays and deductibles for tele-health visits, some insurance companies continue to ignore the ruling. The order is explicit in stating that it is both for COVID-19 and non-COVID cases, as well as mental health, The ruling can be found at this url : https://www.dfs.ny.gov/reports_and_publications/press_releases/pr20203171 Here is the relevant quote:& …
Abortion Early Pregnancy Loss Trauma and Shame
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2020
The following is a guest post from Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R
You lost your baby. You’re no longer pregnant. It’s a long story. You don’t want to talk about it. The doctors. The Rabbis. The Dayan. They all said you had to do it. You can’t talk about it. Nobody knows what really happened. Your husband refuses to talk to you about the baby. He doesn’t want you to bring it up ever again. You must move on. Everyo …
Abandoned Mitzvos Nazir 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 8th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the concept of Meis Mitzvah, an abandoned body with no identifiable relatives. In such a case, even a Cohen Godol and a Nazir are permitted to tend to the burial. Sefer Chassidim (261) says that metaphorically speaking, there are mitzvos which are neglected and abandoned and also are considered to be a Meis Mitzvah. Chofetz Chaim (Shemiras Halashon I:3) adds: This is true by force of a kal v’chomer. If a l …
A Whole and One Bava Metzia 119 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph (and the previous daf) discusses how ownership is determined for produce that grows on the side of a ledge, where the top is a garden owned by one person, and the bottom is owned by another. What is the status of those vegetables that grow on the vertical surface between them? מַתְנִי׳ שְׁתֵּי גַּנּוֹת זוֹ עַל גַּב זוֹ, וְהַיָּרָק בֵּינְתַיִם. רַבִּי מ …
A Wealthy Bequest Bava Basra 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 11th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis uses a proof text to teach that if a man has no children to inherit him, the closest next of kin, father, brothers, uncles etc inherit him. The Mikra Mefurash, quoted by Sefer Daf al Daf, raises a question from Avraham’s dialogue with God, where he expresses fear that without an heir, his servant will inherit all his wealth (Bereishis 15:3): Avram said further, “Since You have granted me no offspri …
A Vered by Any Other Name Gittin 11 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 25th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses Jews who have names of Gentiles. It is a known halakhic and moral debate about the practice of choosing Gentile names. Different communities have different customs and that will not be the focus of our discussion. But there is a fascinating Midrash about the history and process of Jewish names. It states in Bereishis Rabbah 37:7: A dispute between Rabbi Yose and Rabbi Shimon Ben Gamliel. Rabbi Yose says: The anc …
A Stormy Marriage Yevamos 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 18th, 2022
Our Gemara discusses the halakha of Machazir Gerushaso, which is the prohibition to remarry a divorced wife, once she married someone in between. Instead of discussing the halachos, let us look into the mystical and symbolic teachings that have been triggered by this human pattern of connection and disconnection. We have noted many times in Psychology of the Daf the ways in which the relationship between God and the Jewish people is describ …
A Spitting Image of the Father Bava Basra 126 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 29th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis discusses a paranormal method used to determine whether a child is the firstborn of the mother or the father. This has significant halachic implications, as only the natural firstborn of the father inherits a double portion, regardless of the mother's previous birthing history (Shulchan Aruch 277:8). It is taught as a tradition that the saliva of a father's firstborn can heal a specific ailment, whereas the saliva o …
A Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory Yevamos 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 2nd, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Vayikra 4:28 which uses an ambiguous phrase regarding a sin-offering, “Or, if his sin be known to him.” The phrase seems to emphasize knowing about the sin, but it is redundant, as how would he bring a sacrifice if he did not know about his sin? From there the Gemara derives a number of rules relating to what kind of information obligates a sacrifice, and what does not. If he …
A Profession will make you a living self-education will make you a fortune Pesachim 11 Psych & the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 2nd, 2020
A Profession will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. - Jim Rohn The Gemara rejects this contention: There, with regard to a firstborn, it is different, for if he leaves it and does nothing the animal will die, and therefore we say that a person is agitated over his property. In his agitated state he will overlook the details of permitted and prohibited actions and violate a prohibition. Here, however, if he leaves his …
A Poor Conductor Nazir 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 17th, 2023
There is an morbid vaudeville joke about the hapless shlemazel train engineer who was fired from his job. Feeling depressed, he puts his foot to the third rail, hoping to electrocute himself. Somehow, since this poor guy cannot seem to do anything right, he survives and is not zapped by the high voltage. Why, you might ask? Because, of course, he was a poor conductor! Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of “sword …
A Mitzvah: Make No Bones About It Sotah 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about Moshe’s retrieving the bones of Yosef while the Jews were caught up in grabbing the spoils from the drowned Egyptians: תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: בֹּא וּרְאֵה כַּמָּה חֲבִיבוֹת מִצְוֹת עַל מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ, שֶׁכׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל כּוּלָּן נִתְעַסְּקוּ בַּבִּיזָּה, וְהוּא נִתְעַסֵּק בּ …
A Man of Egyptian Extraction Yevamos 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 21st, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us the following principle: גּוֹי וְעֶבֶד הַבָּא עַל בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל — הַוָּלָד כָּשֵׁר. If a gentile fathers a child from a Jewish woman, the child is not a mamzer and considered a Jewish person. The Arvei Nachal (Vayyigash 2) explains this in terms of its metaphysical implications. Let’s begin with a basic assumption that if the halakha dictates su …
A Life Worth Living Bava Metzia 62 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud aleph discusses the famous moral dilemma of a circumstance where you must choose between another person’s survival or your own survival, such as you are in the desert with another person, and only have enough water for one person to survive. Ben Petora taught: It is preferable that both of them drink and die, and let neither one of them see the death of the other. Until Rabbi Akiva came and taught that the verse sta …
A King-Sized Request Kesuvos 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 14th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions a Tanna, Rabbi Elazar ben Parata, and actually his grandfather as well. I could find nothing to comment on about this daf, so I’ll discuss biographical notes about Rabbi Elazar ben Parata. He, similar to Rabbi Chaninah ben Tradiyon, was arrested for ”crimes against the state”, the age-old anti-semitic canard against Jews who taught Torah, as teaching subversive treasonous material. Th …
A Job Done Too Well Kesuvos 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 12th, 2022
One of the famous questions regarding the slavery and oppression of the Jews, and the resulting retribution against the Egyptians is why should Pharaoh be punished for following God’s decree? God tells Avraham that his children will be strangers in a strange land, and serve them for 400 years. Yet in the next verse God assured Avraham that the oppressors will also be judged, and the Jewish people will leave with great wealth (Bereishis 15:1 …
A Holy Family is a Healthy Family Eruvin 27 Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 4th, 2020
וּכְלָלָא הוּא דְּכׇל מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁהַזְּמַן גְּרָמָא נָשִׁים פְּטוּרוֹת? הֲרֵי מַצָּה שִׂמְחָה וְהַקְהֵל, דְּמִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁהַזְּמַן גְּרָמָא הוּא, וְנָשִׁים חַיָּיבוֹת. Is it a general principle that women are exempt from all time-bound, positive commandments without exception? B …
A Hole is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts Bava Basra 19 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2024
As part of an ongoing discussion regarding the effects of various constructions and substances on adjoining properties, and the requirements of neighbors to each other, the Gemara on amud aleph noted a property of sand: “It heats hot items and cools cold items”, which has implications about whether it would cause damage to a neighboring wall. Sand is fascinating and therefore the subject of symbolic meaning and proj …
A Historical Footnote on the Disputes of Shammai and Hillel Kiddushin 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 28th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the rule that a woman cannot be betrothed by allowing her to keep money she had previously borrowed. This is because the marriage bond needs to be effectuated via a transfer of a tangible object. The loan is not tangible, and even if the money was not spent and thus still tangible, the transfer of money to her domain occurred as a loan, and not an exchange for marriage. A second rule discussed is that if a woman …
A Healthy And Whole Person Is In Touch With His Broken Parts Bava Basra 14 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 9th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis tells us about the contents of the Holy Ark: “Both the second set of tablets and the broken pieces of the first set of tablets were placed in the Ark.” Why keep the broken tablets in the Ark? What prominence and lesson do they hold? Tiferes Shlomo (Sha’ar Hatefila) explains, based on a Zohar (III:283a), that the human heart has two chambers. One chamber represents the aspec …
A Guilty Look Sotah 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 17th, 2023
Our Gemara on amud beis discusses circumstances of the Sotah’s retraction of her willingness to drink from the waters. Sometimes it is considered a de-facto confession and therefore she no longer drinks, or instead we believe she is panic stricken, and her refusal is not a confession, rather she may still be innocent and thus drinks: לָא קַשְׁיָא הָא דְּקָהָדְרָא בַּהּ מֵחֲמַת רְתִיתָא ו …
A Grave Cure Bava Basra 171 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappi, who expresses his profound reverence for Rav and Shmuel with a striking metaphor: “Who will give us some of the dust of Rav and Shmuel, and I will place it on my eyes, so highly do I regard them.” At first glance, the notion of putting dust in one’s eyes seems puzzling as an expression of honor. To understand this, we must look to a related account in Sanhedrin 47b, which …
A good heart and good eyes Bava Basra 145 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 17th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis references a verse in Mishlei (15:15): “A good heart is consistently drinking.” The Gemara interprets this to mean that a person with a “good heart” has a certain equanimity, a disposition that enables them to handle stress and challenges without becoming overwhelmed. Rather than a call for literal intoxication, the verse points to a state of inner resilience and composure. Rav Uri Grossman, citing …
A Fresh Face on the Lechem Hapanim Chaggigah 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 7th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us about the miracle of the Lechem Hapanim, the bread from the special table in the Beis HaMikdash: They would lift the table with the shewbread on it to display the shewbread to the oley regel standing in the Temple courtyard, as it was prohibited for Israelites to enter the Sanctuary, where the table stood, and they would say to them: Behold your affection before God, Who performs a perpetual miracle with the bread …
A Cucumber in Hand is Worth Two in the Bush Kesuvos 83 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 28th, 2022
What is more motivating? A cheap reward that comes quickly or a significant reward that takes much longer to obtain? Our Gemara on Amud Beis references an adage, “בוצינא טב מקרא”. Rashi translates botzina as a small gourd and Kara as a large gourd. The idea is the same as, “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.” That is, a person would prefer a small gourd, which he can eat right now, instead of waitin …
A Chinuch Lacking in Promise Kesuvos 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 16th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the situation of a man marrying a woman and then discovering that she had many oaths which has an impact on their personal life. This may invalidate the marriage, as he can say, אי אפשי באשה נדרנית I did not want to marry a woman who is a serial oath maker. Aside from the basic burden of being liable for too many restrictions, Maor Vashemesh (Matos 8) suggests a more characterological p …
A Broken Heart is More Whole Eruvin 105 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 22nd, 2020
A Broken Heart is More Whole A dilemma was raised before the Sages: If one priest is ritually impure and another has a blemish, which of them should enter to perform repairs? Rav Ḥiyya bar Ashi said that Rav said: The impure one should enter, as he is permitted to participate in communal service. If the entire community is ritually impure, even impure priests may perform the service, whereas blemished priests may not serve under any circ …
A Bird and a Fish can Fall in Love...
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 17th, 2019
In Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye exclaims in frustration to his daughter who is considering a marriage outside of the faith, “A bird and a fish can fall in love, but where would they build their home?” Today, many couples find themselves in a position of religious disparity. Whether they started out in the same religious position and one turned more religious and the other less, or they married under this circumstance, it challeng …
Too Much of a Good Thing? Gittin 6 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 22nd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the opinion of Shmuel that Babylonia is considered outside of Israel and a Get needs the messenger to attest to the signatures. Shmuel holds that though due to the constant traffic to and from the yeshivos in Israel to Bavel, there ought to be sufficient witnesses who could attest to the signatures on the Get, the Benei Yeshiva are engrossed in their studies and nonetheless would not recognize signatures. …
46 Sinners and Saints Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 6th, 2021
Our Gemara quotes a Mishna that skins that are worked and processed lose their status of Tum’ah, with the exception of human skin which remains impure. Based on this difference, there is an important polemic between a Saducee and a Sage recorded in Mishna Yadayim 4:6. The dispute is as follows: How does rabbinic law make sense? They render scrolls of scripture as impure, while Greek sacred literature (possibly referring to Homer …
15 Minutes of Fame Eruvin 88 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 5th, 2020
בִּיב הַקָּמוּר אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים — שׁוֹפְכִין לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם בַּשַּׁבָּת. If the first four cubits of a drainage ditch were arched over (Kamur) in the public domain, one may pour waste water into it on Shabbat. What is this obscure term, Kamur? Meiri ibid on word Kemoros ועוקה זו מתרת בין בפנים ובין מבחוץ …
Enmeshment: Momma’s Boys and Daddy’s Girls Kesuvos 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 4th, 2022
Our Gemara mentions a problematic pattern of behavior that can, according to the Gemara, even affect a woman’s likelihood of conceiving: Redufa leylech el beis aviha, When there is contention in the marriage and the woman tends to return back to her father’s home.There is a normal human pattern for young women to connect to and seek guidance from their mothers, as we saw by Rivkah (Bereishis 24:28): וַתָּ֙רׇץ֙ הַֽנ …
Compatibility Factors in Marriage Yevamos 110 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 24th, 2022
Our gemara on amud beis discusses the idea that certain people may have preference in marriage for someone similar to them, such as a deaf person may prefer to marry a deaf person. If compatibility and similarity in interests are important in marriage, to what extent and what domains can be identified? Doing this can help couples work on enhancing them together, and also help people who are dating identify these areas as priorities. R …
A Token of Appreciation Kesuvos 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 23rd, 2022
It is important to show gratitude. Sometimes gratitude does not involve much effort or expenditure, so long as it is sincere. Our Mishna on Amud Beis teaches us: הַמּוֹצִיא הוֹצָאוֹת עַל נִכְסֵי אִשְׁתּוֹ הוֹצִיא הַרְבֵּה וְאָכַל קִימְעָא קִימְעָא וְאָכַל הַרְבֵּה מַה שֶּׁהוֹצִיא הוֹצִיא וּמַה שֶּׁאָכַל אָכַל ה …
מילי דהספידא על אבי ומורי זכר צדיק לברכה
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 1st, 2017
מילי דהספידא על אבי ומורי זכר צדיק לברכה מאת: הרב שמחה פוירמן ביום שלישי, כ״ט אלול תשע״ז הרב חיים יהושע בן אברהם פוירמן סים מלהגיד שיעורו האחרון בישיבה אוניברסיטי, מכון לחינוך ״עזריאלי״. אמר לאחד ממשרתיו, ״חכה לי, שצריך אני לנוח קצת״, ואז יצאה …